Is Filtered Tap Water Safe for Babies

As a parent, you want to protect your baby from any risks. Including unsafe water. It’s smart to ask, “Can babies safely drink tap water?” The Flint Water Crisis has brought national attention to the widespread problem of lead contamination in drinking water throughout the United States. Even though children can be surprisingly resilient, babies’ small bodies and developing immune systems are more sensitive to heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals than adults. A water filter is the best solution to protect your infant from harmful contaminants in tap water.

Why clean water is so important for infants.

It’s critical to use safe, clean water to make baby formula or fill your baby’s sippy cup because their immune system is still developing. As a result, they are more vulnerable to bacteria and pathogens.

They also absorb more harmful chemicals and pollutants than adults because they are rapidly growing and developing. That’s why lead poisoning is especially dangerous for infants and young children.

 

Keep in mind that babies shouldn’t be drinking water until they are at least 6 months old. According to health experts, they should be getting all the hydration that they need through breast milk or formula up until then. Giving your infant more than a sip or two of water, before they’re 6 months old, could give them a tummy ache or make them too full to feed normally.

Why filtered tap water is safer than bottled water.

Many people believe that bottled water is safer than tap water but, often, this is not true. Bottled water in the U.S. isn’t quality tested as frequently as tap water. It may contain higher levels of lead, nitrates or other harmful contaminants than your tap water. Bottled water also often has higher levels of sodium and manganese than babies should consume. Additionally, approximately 93% of bottled water contains microplastics according to a study by Orbs Media.

It’s best not to give babies bottled water for these reasons.

Purified water is much safer for infants. Water filters are effective at removing bacteria, heavy metals (including lead), chemical pollutants and many other contaminates. Filtered water is often even safer than boiled water. Boiling water cannot remove lead but the right water filter can.

Unlike bottled water, when you give your baby filtered tap water, you can be sure it’s pure.

Babies often prefer purified water to regular tap water because it has a better taste. It may even smell better. Water purification systems don’t just remove heavy metals and harmful chemicals. They also remove naturally occurring compounds like hydrogen sulfite that give water an unpleasant taste or smell. Babies and young children are much more sensitive to unpleasant tastes and smells. Picky babies usually prefer purified water because they can taste the difference.

Hopefully, this information helps you to feel confident that your baby is safe when you give them filtered tap water!

There are many types of water filters that you can choose from. The three main types are under-the-counter water filters, pour-through filters, and whole house water filters. Whole house water filters are the most effective and reliable. With a whole house water filtration system, all of the water that you use to bathe and feed your baby will be safe and clean. Tri-Florida Water Treatment’s whole house water purification systems can effectively purify city water and well water. If you’d like to learn more about whole house water filtration systems, contact us!